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A neapolitan minor scale on bass guitar
A neapolitan minor uses A, B♭, C, D, E, F, G♯. Its half-step start makes Box 1 a fast way to outline A minor with a leading tone.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7
How do you play the A neapolitan minor scale on bass?
A neapolitan minor in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1 | E, F |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 3 | G♯, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
A neapolitan minor in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the E string at fret 5 and the D string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7, 8 | D, E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 7, 8 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 3 · frets 8–11
A neapolitan minor in box 3 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F on the G string at fret 10. No root falls inside this box; it sits between two of them.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 11 | F, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | B♭, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 10 | E, F |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
A neapolitan minor in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 10 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 13 | G♯, A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 13 | F, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A neapolitan minor is A harmonic minor with the second degree lowered a half step. The resulting intervals are 1, ♭2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, 7. The half step between A and B♭ gives the scale its characteristic tension. Compare it to A harmonic minor.
When to use it
Use A neapolitan minor over A minor or A 5th chords when you want a darker, more exotic colour. The ♭2 works well in metal and neoclassical bass lines. Try it over A minor or A 5th.
Which position to practise
Start with Box 1. It keeps the root on the fourth string and the ♭2 one fret above, making the half-step easy to hear.
Common questions
Which chords fit A neapolitan minor?
The tonic A minor and A 5th chords fit directly. The ♭2, B♭, can be used as a passing tone over A minor. The raised seventh, G♯, creates a leading tone to A.
How is A neapolitan minor different from A harmonic minor?
A harmonic minor has B natural as the second degree. A neapolitan minor lowers that to B♭. This creates a half step between the first and second degrees.
Can I use A neapolitan minor over an A minor chord?
Yes, the scale contains the chord tones A, C, and E. The B♭ and F add tension. The G♯ is a leading tone that resolves to A.
What is the pattern for A neapolitan minor?
The step pattern is half, whole, whole, whole, half, one and a half, half. This gives the scale its distinctive sound.